Download The Use of Entheogens in the Vajrayana Tradition: a brief summary

The Use of Entheogens in the Vajrayana Tradition: a brief summary of
preliminary findings together with a partial bibliography.
© 2007 R.C. Parker (updated 2008)
Warning: datura is an extremely powerful and dangerous hallucinogen. In addition to the
dangers inherent in severe hallucinosis, the plant is quite toxic. There have been reports
of coma and death resulting from this toxicity.
The broad definition of entheogen used here is: "plants or substances capable of
producing visionary experiences which are used for magico-religious or psychospiritual
purposes." The use of entheogens in the Vajrayana tradition has been documented by
such scholars as Ronald M Davidson, William George Stablein, Bulcsu Siklos, David B.
Gray, Benoytosh Bhattacharyya, Shashibhusan Das Gupta, Francesca Fremantle, Shinichi
Tsuda, David Gordon White, Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz, James Francis Hartzell,
Edward Todd Fenner, Ian Baker, Dr. Pasang Yonten Arya and numerous others. The
research of these scholars has established that these plants were definitely used in
Vajrayana (within limited contexts) and that they were used in a manner largely
consistent with their use in Saivite and shamanic traditions.
This investigation has focused primarily on the use of entheogens in the anuttara-yogatantra materials especially (but not exclusively) the Yogini-tantras. The research has
centered on the use of datura and cannabis (which are consider entheogenic plants despite
the fact that neither is a "classical psychedelic").
The findings which have the most obvious importance are the numerous references to
pills, siddhi-drugs, and rasayana elixirs which contain either datura or cannabis. (Stablein
1976, Baker 2004, Gray. 2007, Walter 1986, Fenner 1979, Dash 1988, Arya 1998)
The significance of ointments and homa-rituals making use of datura is not as readily
apparent. Davidson has commented on these noting that datura was “employed as a
narcotic paste or as wood in a fire ceremony and could be easily absorbed through
the skin or the lungs. The seeds of this powerful narcotic, termed "passion seeds"
(candabija), are the strongest elements and contain the alkaloids hyoscine,
hyoscyamine, and atropine in forms that survive burning or boiling. In even moderate
doses, datura can render a person virtually immobile with severe belladonna-like
hallucinations.” Numerous references were found to the use of datura in ointments
(Stablein 1976, Baker 2004, Hartzell 1991, Davidson 2002). Homa-rituals making use of
datura were found to be quite common (Gray 2007, Siklos 1993 & 1996, Tsuda 1974,
Fremantle 1971, Nebesky-Wojkowitz 1956, Hartzell 1991, Davidson 2002). Also found
was a detailed meditation on the drug-induced visionary experience as method to gain
insight into the nature of reality (Stearns 2006).
Generally speaking, the references that have been located originate in sources that can be
divided into three categories:
1) Primary Literature (tantras, original Indian commentaries, and the stories and songs
related to the Indian tantric mahasiddhas)
2) Secondary Literature (commentaries, "treasure literature", and rituals texts of Tibetan
or Newar origin)
3) Modern Ethnological Research (studies by researchers such as anthropologist and
ethnologists which document the use of entheogens within the living traditions of
Vajrayana among the Nepalese, Tibetans, Bhutanese etc)
1) A number of the "major" tantras within the Vajrayana tradition specifically mention
entheogens (datura and/or cannabis) and their use. These include the Laghusamvaratantra (aka Chakrasamvara-tantra), Samputa-tantra, Samvarodaya-tantra, Mahakalatantra, Guhyasamaja-tantra, Vajramahabhairava-tantra, and the Krsnayamari-tantra.
Relevant material can also be found in the Candamaharosana-tantra and the Caturpithatantra. There are a number of tantras of secondary importance (within the Indo-Tibetan
tantric traditions) that mention entheogens such as Amrtakalasa-tantra, Tara-tantra and
the Anuttaratara-tantra. Of course, mentions of entheogens can also be found in
commentaries on the tantras. Interestingly, some commentaries to tantras will mention
the use of specific entheogens even when the tantra itself does not; examples of this are
Vajragarbha's Dasasahasrika-Hevajra-tika (a Hevajra commentary) and Pundarika's
Vimalaprabha (the main commentary to the Kalachakra-tantra). Included in what is
consider the "primary literature" are the traditional stories and songs relating to the tantric
mahasiddhas. These include such standard Vajrayana texts as the Caturasiti-siddhapravrtti and the Carya-giti-kosa-vrtti. Also included are sources of stories and songs
relating to the mahasiddhas from the Indian vernacular literature such as the GopicanderSannyas (although it could be argued that these vernacular sources are best grouped
amongst the "secondary literature")
2) The Tibetan and Newar literature mentioning entheogens. This includes the Tibetan
commentarial literature (for instance lam 'bras texts from the sa skya tradition such as
_dpal sa skya pa'i lam 'bras kyi chos gces btus_). Although they are usually said to be the
work of early Indic visitors to Tibet, I classify the Tibetan "treasure literature" as
secondary texts of Tibetan origin. An example of a "treasure text" containing formulas
for pills and ointments containing entheogenic substances is the _bi ma snying thig_. Of
course it goes without saying that commentaries on the "treasure literature" (which
mention entheogens) such as _gter gyi rnam bshad_ or Longchenpa's _snying thig ya
bzhi_ are included as secondary texts. Ritual texts would also fall into what I consider the
secondary literature.
3) A number of anthropologists, ethnologists, and ethnobotanists have documented the
use of entheogens within the living traditions of Vajrayana practiced in Nepal and to a
lesser extent Tibet and Bhutan.
When these sources are taken together, their combined weight leaves little room for doubt
that Vajrayana has had a well-documented tradition of making use of entheogenic plants
(especially datura and cannabis) for magico-religious and psychospiritual purposes.
While this use may never have been particularly widespread, it is certainly significant.
Partial Bibliographic List of Resources
It is unfortunate that many of the references to entheogens in the below literature amount
to only a couple of sentences buried deep within a scholarly text dedicated to other
subjects. Very few of these resources contain a sustained discussion of these plants and
their significance in Vajrayana. It is hoped that, in the future, this topic willed receive a
more thorough treatment.
Vajrayana and the use of datura and cannabis
David B. Gray. 2007, The Chakrasamvara Tantra (The Discourse of Sri Heruka) A
Study and Annotated Translation (cannabis and datura)
William George Stablein 1976, The Mahakalatantra: A theory of ritual blessings and
tantric medicine Doctoral Dissertation, Columbia University (cannabis, betel and
datura [in pills and ointments])
Bulcsu Siklos 1996, The Vajrabhairava Tantras (datura and possibly cannabis)
Shinichi Tsuda 1974, The Samvarodaya-Tantra: Selected Chapters. Tokyo: The
Hokuseido Press. (datura, betel and possibly cannabis)
Francesca Fremantle 1971, A Critical Study of the Guhyasamaja Tantra. Doctoral
Dissertation University of London (datura)
Michael Walter 1986, The Tantra a Vessel of bdud rtsi: a Bon text published in
Journal of the Tibet Society 1987 Vol. 8 pgs 25-72 (cannabis and betel)
Malati J Shendge 2004, Satsahasrika-Hevajra Tika (datura)
Cyrus Stearns 2006. Taking the Result as the Path: Core Teachings of the Sakya
Lamdre Tradition (datura)
Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz 1956, Oracles and Demons of Tibet - The Cult and
Iconography of the Tibetan Protective Dieties (datura and cannabis)
James Francis Hartzell 1991,Tantric Yoga: A Study of the Vedic Precursors,
Historical Evolution, Literatures, Cultures, Doctrines, and Practices of the llth
Century Kasmiri Saivite and Buddhist Unexcelled Tantric Yogas Doctoral
Dissertation, Columbia University (datura in Vimalaprabha [homa] and
krsnayamaritantra [ointment])
Edward Todd Fenner 1979, Rasayana-Siddhi: Medicine and Alchemy in the Buddhist
Tantras Doctoral Dissertation University of Wisconsin-Madison (datura in
Vimalaprabha’s rasayana siddhi medicines)
Ronald M Davidson 2002, Indian Esoteric Buddhism: a social history of the Tantric
movement (datura and betel)
Bulcsu Siklos 1993, Datura Rituals in the Vajramahabhairava Tantra published in
Curare Vol 16 (1993) pgs 71-76 (datura)
William Stabtein 1976, "Mahakala the Neo-Shaman: Master of the Ritual". In Spirit
Possession in the Nepal Himalayas. John T. Hitchcock and Rex L. Jones, eds,, pp.
361-375. (datura)
Tulku Thondup Rinpoche 1997, Hidden Teachings of Tibet (datura)
Ian Baker 2004, The Heart of the World, (datura in the Vima Nyingthig and
Nyingthig Yabzhi)
Dr. Pasang Yonten Arya 1998, Dictionary of Tibetan Materia Medica (mentions the
use of cannabis as a rasayana type elixir in a Tibetan tantra related to the goddess
Tara)
Vaidya Bhagwan Dash 1988, Formulary of Tibetan Medicine (contains a number of
rasayana derived “mercurial medicines” containing cannabis and one with datura)
Lama Zopa Rinpoche 1974, Kopan Course No. 7 (datura)
Girish Chandra Vedantatirtha ed. 1914, Tara Tantra. Tara-Tantram, With an
Introduction by A. K. Maitra. (cannabis)
Siddha stories and songs
Keith Dowman 1985, Masters of Mahamudra; Songs and Histories of the EightyFour Buddhist Siddhas (cannabis and datura)
Benoytosh Bhattacharyya 1931, An Introduction to Buddhist Esoterism (cannabis and
datura)
Shashibhusan Das Gupta 1976, Obscure Religious Cults, (cannabis and datura)
David Gordon White. 1996, The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval
India. (cannabis)
Ann Grodzins Gold 1992, A Carnival of Parting, The Tales of King Bharthari and
King Gopi-Chand as Sung and told by Madhu Natisar Nath of Ghatiyali, Rajasthan /
Translated with an Introduction and Afterword by Ann Grodzins Gold (cannabis)
Keith Dowman 1988, Masters of Enchantment (datura)
Lalit Tiwari (undated), Siddha Medicine: Its Basic Concepts (cannabis [Goraksa])
Mike Crowley 2007 personal communication
Datura visions and insight into the illusory nature of reality
Cyrus Stearns 2006. Taking the Result as the Path: Core Teachings of the Sakya
Lamdre Tradition (datura)
Herbert V. Guenther 1976, Kindly Bent to Ease Us: Wonderment (datura)
Longchenpa 19??, The Commentary On The Great Perfection: The Nature Of
Mind, The Easer Of Weariness Called the Great Chariot (datura)
Tulku Thonlop Rinpoche 1989, Buddha Mind: An Anthology of Lonchen Rabjam’s
Wrtings on on Dzogpa Chenpo
Dudjom Rinpoche 1991, The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its
Fundamentals and History (datura)
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 2006, Repeating the words of the Buddha (datura)
Robert Thurman 1995, Essential Tibetan Buddhism (datura)
Elías Capriles 2006, Beyond Being Beyond Mind, Beyond History: A Dzogchen
founded meta-transpersonal, meta-postmodern philosophy and psychology for
survival and an age of communion (datura)
Keith Dowman 1988, Masters of Enchantment (datura)
Keith Dowman 1985, Masters of Mahamudra; Songs and Histories of the EightyFour Buddhist Siddhas (cannabis and datura)
Mahavairocanaabhisambodhitantra (siddhi drugs and unspecified hallucinogens)
Relevant ethnological or ethnobotanital research relating to the use of cannabis
Sami Kivelä 2005, The Sarced Hilltop: A Hermeneutical Case Study on the
Svayambhu Site in Kathmandu. Master’s thesis, University of Helsinki. (cannabis
and betel)
Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz 1956, Oracles and Demons of Tibet - The Cult and
Iconography of the Tibetan Protective Dieties (datura and cannabis)
Mia Touw 1981, The religious and medicinal uses of Cannabis in China, India and
Tibet published in: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 13: 23-34 (cannabis)
G. K. Sharma 1977, Cannabis Folklore in the Himalayas published in Harvard
Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol. 25 No.7 (cannabis)
G.K. Sharma, 1977, Ethnobotany and its significance for Cannabis studies in the
Himalayas. Journal of PsychedelicDrugs Vol. 9(4): 537-339. (cannabis)
Christian Rätsch 2000, Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas (information on
cannabis, datura, and betel etc in Himalayan traditions)
Christian Rätsch, 1998, Marijuana Medicine (cannabis)
Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hofmann 1992, Plants of the Gods pgs 97-98.
(cannabis)
Michael R. Aldrich 1977, Tantric Cannabis Use in India published in Journal of
Psychedelic Drugs Vol. 9 (Jul-Sep) No.3 pgs 227-233 (cannabis)
Miscellaneous
Tucci, Giuseppe 1970. The Religions of Tibet. English translation, Geoffrey Samuel,
trans. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1980. (unspecified intoxicating
plants)
Ardussi's Brewing and Drinking the Beer of Enlightenment (ointments for
siddhis)
Pan-Indian Yogic tradition and the use of cannabis and datura
Frits Staal 1975, Exploring Mysticism (cannabis and datura)
Pratricia J Morningstar 1985, Thandai and Chilam: Traditional beliefs about the
proper uses of Cannabis. Published in Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 17(3) pgs 141165
Michael R. Aldrich 1977, Tantric Cannabis Use in India published in Journal of
Psychedelic Drugs Vol. 9 (Jul-Sep) No.3 pgs 227-233 (cannabis)
Sures Chandra Banerji 1992, New Light on Tantra (cannabis and datura)
Ethan Russo 2005, Cannabis in India: ancient lore and modern Medicine in R.
Mechoulam 2005 (ed.) Cannabinoids as Therapeutics (cannabis)
Swami Satyananda Sawaswati 1984, Kundalini Tantra (cannabis)
Swami Satyananda Sawaswati 1984, Sure Ways to Self Realization (datura and
cannabis)
Georg Feuerstein 1998, The Yoga Tradition: its history, literature, philosophy, and
practice (datura and cannabis)
Mircea Eliade 1990, Yoga: immortality and freedom (cannabis)
N. N. Bhattacharyya 2006, History of the Tantric Religion: An Historical, Ritualistic,
and Philosophical Study (cannabis)